Royal Wootton Bassett Town Football Club - A Charter Standard Community Club - About Us Royal Wootton Bassett Town Football Club About Us | Contact Directory | Vacancies | Find Us Royal Wootton Bassett Town Football Club is an FA Charter Standard Community Club, with 27 teams in total, ranging from Veterans through to Under 7s. For the 2015-16 season, the club has four senior teams competing in the Hellenic League Premier Division, FA Cup, FA Vase, Wiltshire County League and Wiltshire County Floodlit League, one ladies team competing in the Gloucestershire County Women's League Division One and 18 youth teams in the North Wilts Youth Football League. Situated in the small market town six miles south west of Swindon, the club have been playing football since November 1882, making it one of the oldest in Wiltshire. After early seasons in the Vale of the White Horse, Swindon & District and Cirencester & District Leagues, Bassett came to prominence at the start of the twentieth century, spending five seasons in the Wiltshire League.

Unfortunately in the summer of 1908 the club folded, only emerging again in 1930 after the opening of the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground on land which was donated by local dignitary Major Gerard Buxton for sporting activities in the town. For 84 years Bassett would call that ground home. Initially they were playing in the Calne & District League against teams from surrounding villages before regaining Wiltshire County League status prior to the outbreak of World War II. Following the war, Bassett made steady progress, eventually winning Wiltshire County League Division One in 1958-59 to gain promotion to the Wiltshire League Premier Division. They stayed in this division until a restructuring of County League football at the end of the 1960s, joining the Wiltshire Combination. Further realignment followed in 1976, with the establishment of the Wiltshire County League. Initially, Bassett bounced between Division One and Two before eventually winning Division One – and promotion to the Hellenic League – in 1987/88.

Bassett's early years in the Hellenic League saw them win the Division One Cup on two occasions, while the Wiltshire Senior Cup was won for the first time in 1998-99. A a third place finish in the league, coupled with developments to the ground at Rylands Way, then earned promotion to the Hellenic League Premier Division in 1999-2000 for the first time, before the County Cup was won again in 2000-01. The 2000s saw a five year spell in the Hellenic Premier, before relegation back to Division One West. A five year period in that division was ended with promotion in 2009-10, though Bassett were demoted back to Division One West a year later. Hellenic Premier Division status was restored again in the first team's final year at Rylands Way in 2012-13. The new Millennium also heralded developments in the club's youth section too, and this has grown in size exponentially since the turn of the century.

This helped the club become the first in Wiltshire to achieve FA Charter Standard status, which was granted in 2008 and soon upgraded to Community Club status. For the 2015-16 season, a new chapter in the club's development has been opened, with the move to the facility at the New Gerard Buxton Sports Ground and a change in name to reflect the town's Royal status. Key Facts History - Royal Wootton Bassett Bowls Club - Royal Wootton Bassett Bowls Club, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon Royal Wootton Bassett Bowls Club Use this search to view all Events, News, Jobs or Offers in this area. Royal Wootton Bassett Bowls Club History Wootton Bassett Bowls Club was founded in July 1927 by a group of local businessmen. The first President was M. C. Street followed in 1928 by the Reverend S Hersee.

The first AGM was held at the Red Lion Public House on the 14th November 1928 and the joining fee was 21 shillings plus one share at a £1, with the groundsman to get 8d per hour for work around the green. The green was laid from local turf sourced from the Wiltshire Downs which was free draining and hard wearing. This proved to be a good investment and has stood the test of time as it is arguably one of the best greens in the county if not the best. In 1932 the club applied to join the Swindon & District League, which was deemed to take precedence over the Wiltshire League. The club won the Swindon & District League for the first time in 1946 (winning 14 out of 16 matches), and again on a further fifteen occasions up to 1988. In 1949 ladies were admitted as members for the first time subject to the following conditions - no seat on the executive and not permitted to enter the club championships and no right to attend the AGM.!

In 1955 the club won the EBA Rink Championship The winners G King, J Day, A Boulter and C R Waite, were met at the Railway station and paraded through the town headed by the Wootton Bassett Brass Band. Mr C Waite gave a perpetual cup to be played as a two wood competition for the Waite Rose Bowl. In this year Mr Waite was proposed and seconded as Junior Vice President of the Wiltshire Bowling Association, but never became its President. In 1958 President F Drury presented a new cup which is now played for as the Hart Drury Championship. In 1964 an application was made for ladies to be accepted as full members. In 1965 Francis Drury stood down as President after ten years in office and Ivor Hart was elected President having served as chairman, secretary and captain. He continued in office for the next twelve years and was granted honorary life membership in appreciation of his long and devoted service to the club over twenty five years. In 1973 the men were winners of the Wiltshire League v Devizes and again in 1989 v Amesbury.

They were also and winners of the County Tourist Trophy in 1986 and 1987. In 1977 no competitions were played owing to drought conditions on the green. In 1982 the ladies also won the Wiltshire League title. In 1984 Roy Greaves stood down as secretary with John Mimes taking over, both were later made life members. From 1986 to 1992 Mel Biggs, whilst a member of this club, was selected as an English International, an honour only afforded to a few of the very best bowlers. In 1980 outline planning permission was granted for a new clubhouse with an estimated cost of £5000. Extract from the minutes suggested an approach be made to the Memorial Hall for car parking facilities - meanwhile desirable to maintain good relations with them. These comments still ring true as over thirty years later car parking is still more of a problem and it is essential we maintain good relations with the Memorial Hall. In September 1981 an EGM was called for permission to go ahead with building the new clubhouse and was given a unanimous vote from the members to proceed.

The bar takings in the old clubhouse, now the changing rooms, totalled £6000 thanks mainly to the long hours put in by Peter Bull. The new clubhouse was officially opened on 3rd July 1982 by Peter Brimble, a past president of the English Indoor Bowls Association. Just ten years later Mr Brimble switched on the new floodlights around the green and was also made an honorary life member. In 1986 there was an extension to the clubhouse of a new bar area, cellar and toilets at a cost of £5000. Most of the work for both projects was supervised by Alan Livesy and he was the driving force along with a willing band of volunteers. Nearly all the interior work was done in house enabling all the loans to be quickly repaid. After being captain from 1978 to 1981 Alan was elected President, a position he held until 1990 resigning immediately after the AGM and later joining Purton Bowls Club.

In 1997 John Wilks was appointed chairman and under his leadership the club continued to prosper thanks to an increasing bowling and large social membership with two crib teams, a pool team and two fruit machines. The clubhouse was open every evening and both socially and financially these were the golden years of our club when substantial reserves were able to be accrued. On Saturday November 16th 2002 John was duly installed as President of the Wiltshire Bowls Association, the first in our club to hold that office. That same year secretary Brian Bishop retired owing to ill health, although at times rather irascible, Brian had put an enormous amount of time and effort in as secretary and his business knowledge and advice, from his background as a bank manager, was sorely missed. Susan Walker then took over as secretary having served as assistant to Brian and undertaking these positions for the past twelve years. So in appreciation for her years of service to the club she was made a life member. In June 1998 Peter Bull passed away. Peter had joined the club in 1960, having previously played football and cricket for the town, before finding his niche at the bowls club.

In 1962 he joined the green committee. Peter with Hughie Orr and Ivor Hart won the county triples in 1971 going on to represent the county in the national finals at Mortlake. Most of us remember him as good natured and friendly who would pass a happy half hour with you in the bar. He was a clubman without equal and was made an honorary life member in 1987. In 1999 Anthony Drury was made president. Mention must also be made of another stalwart Alan Small who has served as secretary, financial controller, captain, club coach and twelve years as fixture secretary. Over the last thirty years we have built up a good working relationship with the rugby club playing a keenly competitive game against them annually. In 2002 the Swindon & District B Team won the Division 2 League remaining undefeated the whole season. Dave Eaton was made an honorary member for his excellent coverage of the Middleton Cup games played on our green. In 2003 Hedley Bowen was elected as our Wilts Team Captain, Ken Roe was made chairman, the clubhouse remained open every evening and the bar takings that year were £32,530.

Although there were some paid bar staff, it was easier then to generate a healthy profit. For the last fourteen years Ken has devoted much of his time to coaching new bowlers especially the youth. With the help of Alan Small, Fred Rogers and others the open evenings and latterly the school bowling programme has paid huge dividends with many young bowlers being introduced to the game, which augers well for the future. Ken was made an honorary life member in 2008. In 2006 Hedley Bowen was elected Chairman who by his wealth of experience at county and national level is well suited to this position, especially facing the changes of the unification process as directed by Bowls England. Since joining over thirty years ago, Richard Buckland has been a very enthusiastic member both on and off the green. Since retiring from work the clubhouse has literally become his second home, tending the green, helping Harold Jones with maintenance and stocking the bar. Richard has travelled extensively both home and abroad watching the different bowling championships and being quite distinguishable around the green wearing his braces. Latterly he is often to be seen at the bar serving a drink (not buying one!).

He has certainly turned out to be Peter Bull Mark 2 and a great asset to the club and fully merited his life membership. Richard and John Williamson were also in the team that won the Middleton Cup for Wiltshire in 1986. Fund raising has played an important part of the clubs history from an open air whist drive and dance held in 1930 to bingo and various events organized by Dave Edmonds, Ian Tanner, Dave Fackrell, Graham Smith and many others to the present day. In 2010 a portable skittle alley was purchased and regular matches organized by Roy Ockwell and Geoff Insall have proved very popular. Mention should also be made of Eddie Levine for his excellent florals displays over a number of years and remarked on by many visitors. In 2011 Janet Daniell was appointed Bowling Manager, the first lady to undertake this post. Also in 2011 Lucy Smith won the county under 25 singles, the youngest in the county to achieve this. The same year Chairman Hedley Bowen was appointed as England under 25 manager; could it be that he might see one of our own young pretenders play for England?

David Lawrence achieved fifty years as a member, the first in the club so to do, he was also made a life member. This same year Harold Jones succeeded John Williamson as secretary who had held that role for the last three years. No history of the club would be complete without recognizing the contribution of three generations of the Snell family. Dennis, son David and his sons Stephen and Michael - the last three being regular players in the Middleton Cup games. In 2011 David was the first in the County to have played 100 Middleton Cup games and a special presentation was made to him at the County dinner in November. Since joining in 1980 David has won the Maslin Championship singles nine times and the Hart-Drury Singles Cup no less than fifteen times, a record that is unlikely to be surpassed. David was made a life member in 2009. Thanks go to Anthony Drury, President, for the research and compilation of this history.

If anyone has any photographs related to the history of the club, these will be most appreciated (they will be returned undamaged!) The Town Crier « Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council Royal Wootton Bassett Town Crier – The History – Please click to read a brief history of the Town Crier Owen at the Christmas Lights & Shopping Event on 2nd December 2016. Owen Collier attended Seaford’s first town criers’ contest at Martello Tower on Sunday 16th October 2016. Photograph by kind permission of Tony Miller. Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Town Crier Competition in Royal Wootton Bassett on 17th September 2016. Happy 95th Birthday to Phyllis, seen here with Owen Collier presenting the Royal Wootton Bassett Coat of Arms brooch. Congratulations to Muriel & David Haines seen here proudly showing their Royal Wootton Bassett Lapel badges on their Platinum Wedding Anniversary with Owen Collier at Ashgrove House, Purton on Wednesday 31st August. Congratulations to Mark, the new Wiltshire Champion.

Owen Collier attended the official opening of the newly refurbished post office in Royal Wootton Bassett on Thursday 29th August 2013. On Saturday 21st September 2013 Town Criers from around the County of Wiltshire will gather in Royal Wootton Bassett to compete for The Wiltshire Cup to see who will be crowned ”Wiltshire Champion 2013” Well done Owen Collier who won the best dressed Town Crier at Kingsbridge in Devon on Saturday, 27th July 2013Well done Sheila Collier who won the Best Dressed Escort on 17th August 2013 in Knighton, Powys. Owen at Hocktide Dinner in April 2013 It is the custom for “new comers” known as Colts attending the Hocktide Dinner to be “shod” by the local blacksmith. Congratulations to Owen Collier who has been named Prime Warden of the Guild of Mace Bearers Photographs taken at the special ceremony where Owen Collier was installed as the Prime Warden of the Guild of Mace Bearers on 7th February 2013.

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Turn The Town PinkOwen Collier joins in with the spirit of the town, raising money for breast cancer research.5th October 2012 Town Crier Competition at LiskeardPictured are :-Owen Collier, Town Crier of LiskeardCouncillor Tony Powell, The Mayor of Liskeard, CornwallChris Smirthenwaite, Town Crier of Liskeard including, of course, Junior Town Crier CompetitionSeptember 22nd 2012 Battle of Britain Memorial Day Ledbury HerefordshireSunday 16th Sept 2012From left to rightEnid Turberfield Escort Ledbury , Bill Tuberfield Town Crier of LedburyWing Commander Don Rule M.B.E , Owen Collier Royal Wootton Bassett The Town Crier of Royal Wootton Bassett – Roll of Honour 2012 1st Place Royal Wootton Bassett Town Football Club - A Charter Standard Community Club - History in Brief Royal Wootton Bassett Town Football Club Club History | Archive | FA Amateur Cup | FA Cup | FA Vase | FA Women's Cup | FA Youth Cup | History in Brief History in Brief Situated in the small market town

 six miles west of Swindon, Royal Wootton Bassett Town have been playing football since being established in November 1882, making the club one of the oldest in the county of Wiltshire.

The club plays its game at the New Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, which was opened in the summer of 2015. The club had previously spent the majority of its existence – between 1930, when the club was reformed after a two decade hiatus, and 2014 - playing at the original Gerard Buxton Sports Ground at Rylands Way. The ground was donated by local dignitary Major Gerard Buxton for sporting activities within the town and opened in May 1930. A quick rise and fall After its formation the club initially played friendly fixtures before entering its first competition, the Vale of the White Horse League, in 1898-99. Following a season in that division, Bassett entered the Swindon & District League in 1899. Progress made there culminated in the side entering the Wiltshire County League in 1903-04, a year after the club made the finals of both the Advertiser Cup and the Wiltshire Senior Cup, losing the latter in a replay against Warminster Town.

Bassett made the final of the Wiltshire Senior Cup again during its first year playing at county level, but lost to Swindon Town Reserves. At the time, the prestigious County League featured clubs such as Melksham Town, Devizes Town and Chippenham Town as well as – from further afield – Bath City and Yeovil Casuals (now Yeovil Town). Bassett had mixed fortunes during its spell in this division, coming last in 1904-05 before finishing runners-up a year later. During this period, the club's home games took place at 'The Close', upon which Tanners Close now stands, whilst they were based at 'The Royal Oak' public house. Bassett resigned from the Wiltshire County League in the summer of 1908 after failing to comply with league regulations which insisted players must reside within a specific radius of the town – the majority of the Bassett side at the time lived in Swindon, while financial pressures meant the club folded.

Years in the wilderness followed, thanks partly to the First World War – during which The Royal Oak was used as a barracks for German prisoners of war – and the presence of the 1920=21 FA Amateur Cup finalists Swindon Victoria, who for many years played in the town. Re-birth However, owing to the opening of the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground in May 1930 and the desire for it to have tenants alongside the town cricket club, the football club was revived. Starting in the Calne & District League, Bassett had much early success, finishing runners-up in 1930-31 before going on to win the league on three occasions. The division featured teams from numerous surrounding villages such as Clyffe Pypard, Bushton and Lyneham– a stark contrast to the sides Bassett competed against three decades earlier. Return to the County League Bassett finally re-entered County football in 1935-36, playing in Wiltshire League Division Two, before gaining re-election to the now expanded Wiltshire League Division One a year later, where Bassett struggled to compete with the likes of Westbury United, Devizes and Purton.

Fortunes began to change following the Second World War, and Bassett twice came close to reaching the First Round Proper of the FA Amateur Cup – in the 1946-47 season it was the last Wiltshire club standing, but was beaten 9–0 by Cornish side St. Austell in the final qualifying round. Bassett steadily rose up the Wiltshire League Division One table during the 1950s. After narrowly missing out on the title two seasons earlier, they were crowned as champions in 1958-59. A year later, now playing in the Wiltshire Premier Division, Bassett enjoyed another successful season, embarking on a nine game FA Amateur Cup run that saw them again fall one game short of reaching the First Round Proper. The club generally found the going tough in its new league surroundings. However, they were up against strong opposition, which included numerous clubs from outside the county, namely Somerset sides Paulton Rovers, Radstock Town, Frome Town, Clandown and Peasedown Athletic, as well as Stonehouse Town from Gloucestershire.

Restructuring of the County League at the end of the 1960s then saw Bassett enter the Wiltshire Combination and pitted them against more local sides. During the eight years of this competition, Bassett's best finish was fifth in 1969-70. In 1976 the Wiltshire County Football League was established after another reorganisation of the game in the county. Bassett were placed in Division One, but were relegated after two seasons. They secured promotion a year later, but immediately went back down in 1979-80. The glory years Steady progress eventually led to Bassett winning the Division Two title in 1984-85. In Division One, under the stewardship of Mick Woolford, Bassett won the league and promotion to the Hellenic League in 1987-88. That same year they again finished runners-up in the final of the Wiltshire Senior Cup, losing 1–0 to Purton. Woolford remained manager until 1995, overseeing a spell in which Bassett established themselves in Hellenic League Division One.

During this period Bassett reached the final of the Hellenic League Division One Cup three times, winning it twice in 1989-90 and 1993-94. Bassett's success continued at the turn of the century. In 1998-99, 99 years after its first participation in the competition, Bassett won its first County Cup title, beating Pewsey Vale 3–2 after extra time in the final held at the County Ground. A year later, thanks to the installation of floodlights at the Rylands Way ground, they were able to gain promotion to the Hellenic League Premier Division having finished third in Division One. In its first season in the Premier Division, Bassett secured a mid-table position, finishing 13th and also won the Wiltshire Senior Cup for a second time by defeating Shrewton United 2–0. A year later the club reached the First Round of the FA Vase for the first time, losing at home to Cornish side St. Blazey.

A new Millennium, a new challenge However, in the league Bassett became involved in numerous relegation battles, eventually falling back to Division One West after finishing 21st in the 2004-05 season. Bassett came close to securing an immediate return to the Hellenic Premier Division in 2005-06, following a three month unbeaten spell from the end of January. However, a 1–0 defeat at Trowbridge Town in the penultimate game of the year saw Bassett finish fifth, one point shy of third place and a promotion spot. Underachievement followed during the next two years, although 2007-08 saw Bassett advance to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after wins over local rivals Highworth Town and then-Southern League side Bracknell Town. A 15th place finish in that season was Bassett's lowest ever in the Hellenic League. But a year later Bassett were again battling for promotion and having cup success. Bassett went further than ever before in the FA Vase, reaching the Second Round Proper, where they were defeated 4–0 at 1992 winners Wimborne Town.

Throughout the year, Bassett were promotion candidates, but defeat at Trowbridge late in the season meant they finished fourth. A return to the Hellenic Premier Division was finally achieved in 2009-10 as Bassett finished runners-up to Slimbridge in Division One West on goal difference after losing just three league games all season. The club enjoyed another FA Cup run in the 2010-11 season, making it to the First Qualifyng Round where Bassett were eventually knocked out by Hamble ASSC. In the league Bassett enjoyed a good start, but soon became engaged in a battle against relegation though before finishing 15th. The club were eventually demoted after Rylands Way was deemed not to have met ground grading criteria. Back in Division One West for the 2011-12 season, Bassett challenge for promotion through the year before they wound up fifth. 2012-13, Bassett's final season at Rylands Way, would see them secure a return to the Hellenic League Premier Division though, as they came runners-up behind Brimscombe & Thrupp in Division One West.

Manager Dave Turner, who stood down at the end of the campaign after five years at the helm, also led the team to the Second Qualifying round of the FA Cup, where Bassett were defeated by Conference South side Dorchester Town. With plans for the club's and Sports Association's new facility finally moving ahead, the first team began a two year groundshare with Cirencester Town in 2013-14, a year in which Bassett finished a comfortable 14th in the Hellenic Premier Division. That performance was bettered in 2014-15, Bassett's final year playing its games in Cirencester, with an 11th place finish – the club's highest ever in the non-league pyramid – and record points haul in the division. Since the onset of the new Millennium the club has expanded significantly, with the establishment of a large Youth Section and a Ladies Section. The club now operates 23 teams from under 7s upwards. This growth led to the club being awarded Charter Development Club status by the FA before this was upgraded to Community Club status. Bassett were the first club in Wiltshire to achieve this.

International ties have also been established, with three youth section teams touring Holland annually since 2001. This has led to a relationship with amateur side FC 's-Gravenzande, who are based near The Hague. Key Facts Wiltshire Council - Wiltshire Community History Get Community Information Condensed View - Comprehensive View Royal Wootton Bassett This page is one of 261 pages covering every community in Wiltshire, and is provided by Wiltshire Council Libraries and Heritage. A project to provide a fuller picture of each community is in progress, working on the larger communities first. When these 261, which are modern civil parishes, are completed we will begin work on a further 180 villages and hamlets to provide comprehensive coverage of Wiltshire communities large and small. From Andrews’ and Dury’s Map of Wiltshire, 1773: Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, Chippenham Map of the Civil Parish of Wootton Bassett: 1890s Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre From the Ordnance Survey 1890s revision of the one inch to one mile map.

The modern civil parish boundary has been superimposed. Thumbnail History: Royal Wootton Bassett is a market town located in North Wiltshire. It is some 4 miles south west of Swindon, and lies 10 miles from Malmesbury, 4 miles from Lyneham, 8 miles from Calne and 14 miles from Chippenham. In its earliest days the town would have bordered on Bradon Forest. Until the mid 1800s the towns of Cricklade and Wootton Bassett were larger and more important locally than the relatively small Swindon. Since the coming of the railways in the 1850s, however, that all changed and development then centred on Swindon. Early records usually start with 681 AD when a Malmesbury Abbey charter granted to the Abbot, by the Saxon king Ethelred, 10 hides of land to a place called 'Wodeton'. (A clearing in what is probably now Braden Forest).

However this charter was lost by 1066 when the Doomsday Book shows Wodeton belonging to Levenod as a manor with a Norman lord, Milo Crispin. The manor descended to an Alan Bassett in 1200 A. D. and his signature can be seen as part of the Magna Carta Preface. In 1219 Alan Bassett gained permission from Henry III to hold a market weekly in the town; there is still one today on Wednesdays. The town had a small priory probably in Wood Street, run by a priest (the prior) and lay brothers (presbyters) to feed 13 old men of the parish. This was originally called the hospital of St John and was set up in 1254 by a son of Alan Bassett, Philip. Another manor house was built called Vastern and the two manor houses were run by one lord. In 1405 the Priory of St John was transferred to Bradenstoke Priory and so only continued for approximately another 50 years. The first known Mayor of Wootton Bassett in 1408 was John Wollmonger.

This name suggests that there may have been a good trade in wool at that time. Various changes took place over the years as to the land and ownership of Wootton Bassett. In 1446 just before the start of the Wars of the Roses, the town sent two MP's to parliament. The king at the time was Henry VI; rumour has it that Henry VIII had a mistress at Vastern Manor, Wootton Bassett. Certainly the manor house and land belonged to Catherine Parr his widow, until her death in 1548. In the 17th century the Hyde family (Earls of Clarendon), to possibly further their political careers, renewed the charter for Wootton Bassett and also presented the town with its Town Hall. It did not always look as it does today. The usual plan of the Town Hall was an upper room or council chamber built on 15 pillars. Under this at ground level was a store room for market commodities, maybe even an area to sell them from. As the Mayor kept law and order there was a lock up or 'Blind House' for keeping drunks overnight.

Folklore goes that the drunks were more drunk in the morning because in secret 'midnight ale' was passed through the grating by means of the 'churchwarden pipe'. The Blind House disappeared in 1889 with some restoration work. The national school may have used the Town Hall temporarily until their new premises in Station Road were ready. Over the years many uses and changes have taken place. Now the town has a very interesting museum open on Saturday mornings. The silver Maces in the Town Hall date from 1603 though it is unclear how they came into the borough's possession and therefore their significance is also unknown. Wootton Bassett's coat of arms was possibly borrowed from the Clarendon coat of arms when they owned the manor. It appears in a window at the House of Lords and also on the scabbard of the mayoral sword presented to the borough in 1812. Wootton Bassett is a typical market town with a long High Street, which broadens to allow space for a market. The main road runs along this street and, until the development of post-war decades, much of the housing is very close to it.

The High Street offers a mixture of buildings, many of which date back several hundred years. The charter granted by Charles II in 1679 and procured for Wootton Bassett by Lawrence Hyde allows the town to again hold a weekly market on Wednesdays (still held today), three fairs and a court of pie powder to execute summary justice on disturbers of the peace. The mayor was also the clerk of the market with power to set tolls. The market continued but dwindled due to managerial apathy and by 1810 was in a sad state. Then in 1832 when the town lost its borough political status the more affluent townsmen joined together to form a committee and held a grand monthly cattle market. This flourished well, so was added to with a Christmas fat stock show, and two hiring fairs held in the Spring and Autumn. The first hiring fair took place on 4th October 1836 when people in the agricultural and domestic field of work gathered to be hired as servants. There was music and dancing and a generally pleasant day with no trouble on the way home.

However these fairs disappeared by the end of the 19th century and in 1939, with the outbreak of war and the general increase in traffic from Chippenham to Swindon through Wootton Bassett, the market or shambles closed. The market building stood where the Town Hall now is, at the entrance to Wood Street, but when it couldn't be sold after falling into disrepair the building was pulled down in 1813 and the timbers disposed of. With the dissolution of the monasteries, when Elizabeth I was on the throne she decreed that each parish should have responsibility for its own poor, raising funds locally to look after them. The 1793 Wootton Bassett census records a small workhouse for 12 people in Old Court (off Station Road) This was followed in 1836 by a much larger building at Purton to serve both Purton and Wootton Bassett All these workhouses were disused by 1948.

Schooling for all came at about the turn of the century, and the present Civic Centre is a site given by the Earl of Clarendon to teach both children and adults of labouring, manufacturing and other poorer classes in Wootton Bassett. The schoolmaster's house was next door and the school was opened officially in 1861 by the Bishop of Salisbury. In line with its growth during the latter part of the twentieth century several new primary schools were added. In 2001 Wootton Bassett Comprehensive school moved to a new building, opened in 2002 by HRH Princess Anne. The Town Library had two initial sources of stock. Part came from the Mutual Improvement Society who, when it closed down, donated its stock. Donations were generously given by people including Lady Meux and the borrowing stock at the national school was transferred making by 1890 a total of some 1000 titles. Lady Meux officially opened the town library in the Town Hall and presided over the library committee. The library was open on Mondays 7 to 8:30pm and cost two shillings to belong.

When the county decided to operate a free service the competition was too great and the town library closed around 1935. The county branch library was situated at the Lorna Doone centre, in temporary accommodation at Borough Fields and, since 1991 has been in purpose built premises in the Borough Fields shopping centre. Wootton Bassett had a Railway Station in the early 20th century when the milk was transported from nearby farms to the London market. The Station was closed in 1966 when Dr. Beeching reformed the railways. On the site of what was until recently the St Ivel Dairy, was a brewery known as the Beaufort Brewery, set up to exploit the latest techniques and run a school of scientific brewing. Another brewery was located where the present Conservative Club is on the High Street and the well for drawing water can still be seen in a garden behind. This was the Wootton Bassett brewery. The third was the Lamb or Caldwell's in lower High Street. The town boasted brickworks using local clay until the deposits ran out. These were located in Vale View, and Church Street where there are now allotments.

It also had a bacon factory where the pigs were driven in, slaughtered cured, and made into sausages, black puddings, lard, faggots, polonies and of course bacon. The North Wilts Bacon factory was behind the Curriers Arms and evidence of it exists today. The Gas, Coke and Light Company was formed in 1859 in Station Road, operating the supply for the town. The manager's house was next door to the gas holders. It was his job until the late 1960's to light the gas mantles in the street lamps. This has all gone now being replaced by a plumbers' merchants opposite the entrance to the St Ivel factory. The Gas House still stands, although with much alteration. Wootton Bassett also had its own blacksmiths, wheelwright and rope maker. There is mention in the Doomsday Book of a water mill, but now demolished. The town also had three windmills used for pumping and driving machinery. Until 2002 St Ivel, under the name of Uniq, operated a dairy in the town and was one of the largest single employers. This business has now closed.

Most employment opportunities in the town rest on the industrial estates, Woodshaw and Whitehill Trading Estate, and in retail on the High Street. Council Royal Wootton Bassett - Visit Wiltshire Royal Wootton Bassett Click here to dowload the village and towns trail About Royal Wootton Bassett in the north of Wiltshire was a Saxon holding in 681 'Wodeton', eventually passing to Lord of the Manor Alan Bassett in 1200 who was granted the right to hold weekly markets by Henry III. The Town Mayor in 1408 was John Wollmonger at the height of the successful wool trade and hiring fairs and cattle markets continued to be held until 1939. Katherine Parr one of Henry VIII's wives family home was Vastern Manor. This Wiltshire town offers a weekly market, monthly farmers market, an abundance of places to eat and drink and an interesting variety of shops. Jubilee Lake is a natural habitat for a variety of birds, butterflies, ancient trees and wild flowers providing a peaceful setting for anglers and walkers.

At Templars Firs a stretch of the former Wilts and Berks Canal (LINK) hosts a biennial Trail Boat event and the area is rich in flora and fauna. Nearby at Broad Town is Wiltshire's most northerly White Horse figure carved in the chalk hillside in 1863. For many years Royal Wootton Bassett had close links with the nearby Royal Air Force base at Lyneham, and in October 2011 the town was granted the "Royal" prefix in recognition of the role the town and its people played in the repatriation of UK service men and women killed as a result of war. A great way to explore the area is to follow the Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade villages and town trail. Facilities

Question: In which county is the town of Royal Wootton Bassett?
Answer: Wiltshire